CROP REPORT FOR PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 26 TO NOVEMBER 1, 2010

Saskatchewan producers have nearly all the crop in the bin, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture's Final Crop Report.

Approximately 99 per cent the crop has been harvested. The five-year provincial average (2005 to 2009) for this time of year is 97 per cent combined. Last year at this time, Saskatchewan farmers had 81 per cent of the crop in the bin.

Across the province, topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as 31 per cent surplus, 67 per cent adequate and two per cent short. Topsoil moisture conditions on hay land and pasture are rated as 21 per cent surplus, 75 per cent adequate and four per cent short.

Crop reporters are indicating that crop yields are average to above-average, while quality is below-average. The majority of flax, canola and mustard crops are predicted to be in the top grade.

The number of acres seeded to fall crops has decreased from last year. Acres seeded to winter wheat and fall rye have decreased by five and 10 per cent, respectively. In the southeastern and southwestern regions respectively, 23 and 14 per cent less winter wheat has been seeded compared to last year.

Farmers are busy finishing fall work; applying fertilizer, hauling bales and grain, cleaning corrals, fixing fence, bringing cattle home from pasture and working sloughs that were too wet to seed this spring.